The carriage arrived at the bustling district of the Imperial Capital, a street particularly favored by nobles.
This place felt like a street nobles frequented, evident from the bricks paving the road to the buildings themselves.
Lellia stood quietly, gazing at the luxurious shops lined up on both sides, then at Romeo's urging to hurry, she entered the shop before her eyes.
Before entering, she caught a quick glimpse—it was a men's clothing store.
Having something to hide, an inexplicable tension washed over her.
'It should be fine since Romeo is with me.'
Fortunately, there were no customers inside the clothing store. Then again, it was still early for shopping.
However, the clerk showed a very kind smile as if the time didn't matter.
"Could you select a few outfits that would suit this gentleman?"
At Romeo's words, the clerk bowed his head and approached Lellia.
"……!"
When his eyes met Lellia's, the male clerk looked surprised and scanned her up and down.
It wasn't a look of disdain, but rather one of curiosity.
"Is something wrong?"
When Romeo, standing beside her, asked with furrowed brows, the clerk waved his hands in denial.
Then, casually bringing out several garments from inside, he displayed them on a wooden stand.
The clerk had selected a total of seven outfits.
Each one was bright and splendid in color, with beautiful embroidery as well.
Romeo examined the clothes carefully and nodded as if satisfied.
'Good thing I sucked up to Romeo.'
Lellia knew nothing about men's clothing in particular, just as with women's clothing, so Romeo's attitude was reassuring.
"I think a different cravat would go better with this one."
When Romeo said this, the clerk quickly brought over a wooden tray where cravats were displayed.
"This one and this one. Ah, and for the cuff buttons, use these."
As Romeo gave various instructions, several more people besides the attending clerk began bustling about.
"It's done."
Lellia looked over the clothes he had selected. She liked each one very much, but…
Since Romeo had added a cravat, cuff buttons, and various other items, the amount was likely to be considerable.
'How much money was left after the deductions again.'
While Lellia was pondering, Romeo took something out from his bosom and held it out to the clerk.
'Huh?'
Looking closely, it was currency issued by the Temple.
Along with the five empires on the continent, the currencies used by the surrounding minor nations were all different.
Because of this, the Temple located at the center of the five empires also served the role of creating and exchanging common currency for active trade—and that was precisely this currency.
'Is he going to buy them for me?'
Lellia asked with her eyes, but Romeo had a nonchalant expression.
It seemed he really was going to buy them for her.
'Good thing I sucked up to him.'
Lellia laughed inwardly as she thought this.
Just then, a clerk approached and hesitated.
"Um, now we need to take measurements…."
"Ah."
The clerk pointed to a spacious fitting room on one side. It meant they needed to go there to take measurements.
When Lellia hesitated, Romeo thought for a moment, then snatched the measuring tape from the clerk's hand.
"I'll take the measurements myself."
"Ah, yes. Understood."
Romeo took Lellia's arm and entered the fitting room the clerk had guided them to.
When the clerk drew the curtain, she was alone with Romeo in a space about the size of a small room.
"…Measure your chest and waist yourself."
"Ah, yes."
Lellia accepted the measuring tape Romeo held out and looked at the mirror in a daze.
The fitting room was quite spacious so staff could help customers change clothes, and three sides were all mirrors.
Romeo had turned his back and was standing facing the curtain.
If a clerk took the measurements, their hands might reach areas that could reveal Lellia was a woman.
Feeling that Romeo was being considerate of this, Lellia felt grateful inwardly.
As expected of my friend.
Lellia thought this as she measured her waist and chest. When she called Romeo, he took the measuring tape.
"I'll measure your shoulders, upper body, and legs."
Since those were parts difficult to measure alone, Lellia nodded.
Romeo picked up the measuring tape and came right up beside Lellia.
He measured from Lellia's waist to her leg length, from her shoulders to her pelvis, and her arm length.
Even though he must be doing this for the first time, the flow was natural, and he was careful not to touch her with his hands.
However, when measuring her shoulders, she felt his fingertips touch her.
After the left shoulder, when Romeo's fingertips touched her right shoulder, she suddenly felt breathless and suffocated for some unknown reason.
"……."
In that moment, Lellia's eyes met Romeo's through the mirror.
Unlike Lellia who was momentarily startled, Romeo had an impassive expression.
"Did you bring me here for this? To use me like a servant?"
"……."
Romeo grumbled but recorded the measurements on the paper beside them.
When their eyes met again through the mirror, Lellia smiled awkwardly.
"……."
Romeo froze for a moment seeing that smile, then turned his head away.
'Still, this is quite gentlemanly.'
Lellia adjusted her clothes and looked at herself in the mirror.
The most uncomfortable thing about dressing as a man was, after all… having to bind her chest.
Fortunately, among the pension lottery items, there was a 'less suffocating bandage' which she used.
That item had been designed for an elephant customer who frequently injured its nose in the game.
It was definitely less suffocating. She could understand why the elephant customer had been particularly obsessed with that item.
Just then, Romeo, who had set down his pen after writing down all the measurements, suddenly approached.